Rutgers' D.C. Jefferson on the mend from knee injury after missing UConn game

Ed Murray/The Star-LedgerRutgers tight end D.C. Jefferson is making enough progress from a left knee injury that he expects to return to the starting lineup for the Dec. 30 Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa State.

D.C. Jefferson understands that injuries are as much a part of football as blocking and tackling. What Rutgers' starting tight end doesn't quite get is why they keep getting in the way just as he's on the brink of becoming the type of dominant player so many envisioned when he switched from quarterback.

The 6-6, 258-pounder continued today to make progress in his effort to return in time for the Scarlet Knights' Dec. 30 Pinstripe Bowl against Iowa State at Yankee Stadium.

The left knee injury he suffered in the first half against Cincinnati isn't completely healed, but it isn't holding the fourth-year junior back from believing he will return to the starting lineup for the bowl game.

Jefferson missed the second half of the Cincinnati game and the 40-22 loss at Connecticut in the regular-season finale because of the injury.

“It’s been pretty frustrating,” he said. “I wanted to play the UConn game to help my team out, and we came away with a loss which made me feel even worse.

“But I’m feeling good now. I’m ready to go.”

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Jefferson, who has emerged as a major factor as a blocker this season, still needs to work to get back to where he was before he’s ready to declare him game-ready again.

"I'll be fine by the bowl," he said. "I understand injuries are part of the game. But I'm not going to let this hold me back. I didn't last year."

Jefferson spent a good part of last season playing at less than complete health because of a nagging ankle injury -- and still showed signs of developing into a complete tight end. This season, he also has 11 catches for 107 yards.

With Rutgers still focused on development and technique in practice, something that will continue during the upcoming week before the attention turns to to Iowa State, Schiano hasn't made a decision on a starting quarterback yet.

But he reiterated following practice today that both Gary Nova and Chas Dodd may play in the bowl game.

“It’s the complete body of work, so (it’s) everything this year and what’s going on right now, and then we’ll make some decisions as we get near to game-planning,” he said. “It’s not out of the realm that they’ll both play. We see the bowl game as a reward and I think they both deserve to be rewarded.

“We’ve just got to figure out the best way to do it, what gives us the best chance to win.”

Dodd has started seven games, and Nova — a true freshman — five.

Pinstripe Bowl Press ConferenceRutgers head football coach Greg Schiano and athletic director Tim Pernetti speak at a Yankee Stadium press conference to formally announce their Pinstripe Bowl game against Iowa State on December 30. Video by John Munson/The Star-Ledger

“Both have shown at times (that) they’re capable of winning games for us, so it’s not an easy decision,” Schiano said.

One notable absence on the all-Big East teams from Rutgers’ perspective was DT Justin Francis getting snubbed.

“I was surprised, with the kind of year he had,” Schiano said.

Starting CB Brandon Jones, nagged all season by a leg/knee injury, has been given some time off — as has been the case during certain points this season — to rest and recuperate.

“He’s played all year on a really (bad leg) he’s a tough kid, let me tell you,” Schiano said.

“There’s not a lot of people who would do what he’s done all year. And he’s done it effectively. We’ve shut him down for two weeks. He will start up on Wednesday again.”

DE Marcus Thompson suffered what appeared to be a leg/knee injury in practice today, though Schiano did not know the severity of it immediately.